Each and every year, the Christmas season doesn’t officially get started until the tree goes up in New York City. It’s not just any tree, though. The one that everyone waits for is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, and the 2015 lighting is right around the corner, but you’ve got to know how and when to watch if you can’t actually be there.
2015 will be no different than past years, as millions will want to enjoy the lighting of the gigantic tree that sits in Rockefeller Center and is illuminated for the world to enjoy.
Today reported that the 78-foot, 10-ton tree arrived in New York early in November from Gardiner, New York. Many were there to greet its arrival and watch as it was stood up tall and proud and awaiting its decorations.
Albert Asendorf and his family grew the massive tree which was felled in early November and brought to New York City to be put in place. Not only were the Todayanchors there to greet it, but so was Santa Claus.
Just last year, Asendorf realized that the giant tree had outgrown the family property, and he knew of a good home for it.
“It kind of took over the whole yard. So then I looked around and found out that Rockefeller Center might want the tree.”
The Asendorf family submitted the tree online “as more of a joke than anything,” but they got a surprise a few months later when Rockefeller Center’s head gardener showed up on their property. The family will miss the tree as it has been in the family for years, but they know it will be in a good place.
The official 2015 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting will take place this week, and here is all the info you need to know so that you can watch.
- Date : Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015
- Time : 8 p.m. ET
- Network : NBC
- Hosts : Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Natalie Morales
As always, there will also be a lot of performers joining in on all the fun of the lighting for the hour-long presentation. Sting, James Taylor featuring Chris Botti, Mary J. Blige, The Band Perry, Band of Merrymakers, and Andrea Bocelli are just some of those that will be there on Wednesday night.
In person, the live performances will be happening from 7-9 p.m. at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, according to the official Rockefeller Center website.
Others began hopping on Twitter a few days ago once they were able to reveal the good news.
Excited to announce that we’re performing at the #RockCenterXMAS tree lighting Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 8/7c on @NBC ! pic.twitter.com/i5ReafaUzX
— Pentatonix (@PTXofficial) November 24, 2015
Oh tree of all trees! It’s that ?time of year. Performing at the #RockCenterXMAS tree lighting Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 8/7c on @NBC !
— Carly Rae Jepsen (@carlyraejepsen) November 24, 2015
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will stay up and lit for all to see until 8 p.m. on January 6, 2016. Once it is taken down on the following day, it will be trucked off and then carted into lumber for Habitat for Humanity.
For those that can’t make it to New York and won’t be around a TV, but have access to a computer or smart device, you can still enjoy. Watch a live stream of the tree lighting by going to this link and waiting for it to go live.
On Wednesday, make sure to tune in so that you can see the 30,000 lights come to life at the 2015 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting in New York. Now, you know the full TV schedule along with when and how to watch and enjoy.
[Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images]